The Federal Government has entered into a partnership with the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria (HFN) to strengthen the country’s pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity and reduce reliance on imported medicines.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Abuja on Wednesday between the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC) and HFN during a roundtable on local medicine production.
The agreement aims to mobilise private sector investment, encourage local production, and promote innovation across the pharmaceutical value chain.
PVAC National Coordinator, Dr Abdu Mukhtar, said the partnership reflects President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to achieving health security through self-sufficiency in the production of medicines.
He said, “Our goal is clear: to ensure that by 2030, Nigeria produces at least 70 per cent of its essential healthcare products locally. We have moved beyond planning to execution, and this collaboration with HFN will accelerate that shift by mobilising the private sector’s innovation, investment, and expertise.”
Mukhtar noted that the partnership would help Nigeria address drug shortages, create jobs, and boost industrial growth within the health sector.
HFN President, Mrs Njide Ndili, described the agreement as a major step toward bridging the gap in government-private sector collaboration in healthcare.
“HFN has consistently advocated for greater private sector engagement in health system development. This MoU with PVAC provides a structured platform to channel expertise, investments, and innovation toward building a stronger, more self-reliant healthcare system,” she said.
The roundtable, themed “Strengthening Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturing for Sustainable Health Security in Africa,” brought together key stakeholders from the World Bank, African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), and the West Africa Private Healthcare Federation (FOASPS).
Discussions centred on policy reforms, financing for small and medium pharmaceutical enterprises, and the need to harmonise regulatory standards to improve production efficiency.
Mukhtar emphasised that the healthcare value chain reform is a cornerstone of the Tinubu administration’s strategy to unlock investment and reduce foreign dependence.
“This partnership marks a crucial step in unlocking the immense potential of Nigeria’s healthcare industry. By working with HFN, we are ensuring that the private sector plays an active and coordinated role in building a resilient healthcare ecosystem,” he said.
The MoU, which will run for an initial three years, covers areas such as local manufacturing, diagnostics, workforce development, and supply chain management.
PVAC was established in 2023 to drive the government’s initiative of producing pharmaceuticals and medical devices locally, while HFN continue to advocate for collaboration and innovation within the private healthcare sector.
